Brunete, Spain – Real Betis advanced to the final of the La Liga FC Futures U12 tournament, defeating FC Barcelona 2-0 in a semifinal clash at the Municipal de los Arcos on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The result marks the first defeat of the tournament for Pol Combellé’s Barcelona side, halting their run just short of the championship game.
The match followed a quarterfinal round that saw Barcelona overcome Real Madrid 2-1, while Flamengo secured a spot in the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Flamengo had previously rallied from behind to defeat PSG, with Carlos Leonardo and Manuel Fernandes scoring after Musa had given the Brazilian side an early lead.
Betis started the match with a high-energy, direct approach, immediately putting Barcelona on the defensive. Barcelona struggled to establish possession and string together meaningful passes. Despite this, the Blaugrana accepted the challenge, battling with passion and determination.
Early on, the physical difference between the two sides began to emerge as a key factor. While Barcelona possessed technical skill, Betis’s size and strength proved difficult to counter in the fast-paced, seven-a-side format. The physicality of the game was particularly noticeable in both penalty areas.
Barcelona had an early opportunity to take the lead when Biel Chaves’s shot was expertly saved by the Betis goalkeeper. However, it was Betis who broke the deadlock, thanks to the individual brilliance of Jesús Heredia. Heredia skillfully evaded defenders Arnau Casas and Biel Chaves before unleashing a powerful shot to give Betis a 1-0 advantage.
Betis nearly doubled their lead before halftime, but a magnificent save from Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Martí Pico, kept the deficit at one goal. Pico’s stop denied a scoring opportunity and kept Barcelona within striking distance.
The second half saw Betis further assert their physical dominance. The size disparity was particularly evident when Barcelona’s Hugo Galdeano, one of the smaller players on the pitch, was matched up against Betis’s considerably larger central defender, Candela. The difference in stature proved impactful throughout the period.
Betis ultimately sealed their place in the final with a second goal, scored by Javier Secano. The play originated from another impressive run by Jesús Heredia, whose creativity set up Secano for a decisive finish.
Despite the 2-0 scoreline, Barcelona continued to fight, creating several opportunities in the closing stages. Destiny, Mollica, and Pedrito all came close to scoring, but were unable to find the back of the net. Betis’s greater physical presence ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, securing a hard-fought victory.
The defeat brings an complete to Barcelona’s impressive run in the La Liga FC Futures tournament. They had entered the semifinal undefeated, but were ultimately unable to overcome a determined and physically imposing Betis side.
Real Betis will now face Flamengo in the final of the La Liga FC Futures U12 tournament. The match is scheduled for 18:45 local time on March 28, 2026, at the Municipal de los Arcos. Fans can follow updates and results on the official La Liga website and through participating teams’ social media channels.
This tournament provides a valuable platform for young talents to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. The competition highlights the growing development of youth football programs across Spain and beyond.
